Audible electric signal



20, 1938 A. c. GAYNOR I 2,140,577 AUDIBLE ELECTRIC SIGNAL,

Filed Sept. 11, 1934 ffram eyand. thecontacts' arranged .on the base I Patented Dec. 20, 1938 ]-YTT UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to electrical audible signals, .and more particularly to a combined bell -.and buzzer. s

An object of this invention is to provide a combined bell and buzzer which will be compact,

' of small dimensions and economical to manufacture. To this end, the actuating mechanism for I the bell and buzzer is "mounted on a frame carried by a base plate, and the bell is mounted on the frame so as to cover and conceal the actuatingmechanism and form a housing therefor.

' 'Anotherobjectof this invention is to make the combined bell and buzzer dust and vermin-proof. For this purpose, the base plate of the device is provided. with an escutcheon plate overlyingit, and provided with an annular flange overlapping the lower edge of the bell and located in such 'close'proximity thereto that roaches and the like cannot enter between the bell and the escutcheon; For the same purpose, the device is -so constructed and assembled that there are no open apertures left in the base plate, and hence vermin such as cockroaches and the like cannot reach the interior of the device. I 25 A still further object of this invention is to provide an improvedactuating mechanism for bells and buzzers, and especially, an improved form ofelectro-magnet and current conductin means therefor.

According to the present invention, there is one electro-magnet for the bell and another electromagnet for the buzzer. Each magnet is secured to the frame atone end, and at this end is provided withfa head including a metal disk 'to 40 The armatures are grounded onthe frame and the frame through the base is connected to one side of, a source of current. The other side of the source of current is divided, each division leading to a button or otherswiteh, and from the switch 451toa contact member on the base plate which has resilient engagement with the metal disk on the; mounting end of the electro-magnet.

This is a particularly advantageous feature, -foi' in making the device, thebell and buzzer actuating mechanism may be assembled on the Yplate." Then the base. plate and frame may be ,fassembled and screwed thogether, andin doing I I ."electrical connectionto the electro-magnets 5. willbemade by the contacts on thebase.

Also, the frame carrying the magnets is adapted to act as a yoke therefor, said frame providing a common magnetic return path for each magnet. Thus a magnetic return for both'magnets, which return is extremely important in all electromagnetic apparatus, is provided by a single yoke constituting the frame. In addition, the ends of the frame, acting as the yoke, are attached to the metal base plate, which is of magnetic material, and thus there is provided a second magnetic return path in parallel with the yoke. In other words, a common double magnetic return is provided for both magnets, and, as can be readily understood, the efiiciency of the apparatus is correspondingly higher.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of means for mounting the bell so that its vibrations are not dampened by the mounting means. Therefore, a clear-er and more musical tone will be produced by the bell.

' Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates my invention in the form at present preferred- Figure 1 is a front view of my combined bell and buzzer.

Fig. 2 is a similar view with the bell shown in section to disclose the actuating mechanism, and with portions of the escutcheon removed to show the base plate.

Fig. 3 is a back view of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the frame which carries the actuating mechanism and bell.

Fig. 5 isv a sectional view taken on the line 5--5 'of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through one of the electro-magnets and showing the novel construction provided by the present invention.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on the line of Fig. 2.

Fig, 8 is a detailed view showing a modified form of bell or mounting means; and

Fig. 9v is a plan view of the spring employed 1 the device shown in Fig. 8.

As shown in the accompanying drawing, the combined bell and buzzer of the present invention comprises a base plate [0, which preferably is a sheet metal disk of magnetic material. On

this base In there is mounted a frame ll having end of which is an ear l6 which extends through a similarly shaped aperture I! in the base plate. The ears l6 serve to locate the frame I! and the mechanism carried thereon in proper position on the base plate Ill, and they also serve to secure the frame to the base plate. This may be done in any suitable manner, but in the form shown herein, it is accomplished by providing a hole IS in each of the ears just below the surface of the base plate Iii, and through which a pin l9 may be forced to lock the frame down upon the base plate.

The armsl3 are angularly disposed with relation to the top portion l2 of the frame ll so that while the arms lie in parallel planes, they are nevertheless not opposite each other. This is done so that the electro-magnets 2D and 2| may lie adjacent to, and parallel with each other, as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be seen that the frame H constitutes a yoke providing a common magnetic return path for both magnets, and also that the magnetic base platelli constitutes a similar yoke in parallel with the frame, so that said frame and plate serve as a double or parallel magnetic return path for each magnet. This is important with regard to the efficiency of both the bell and buzzer, increasing this appreciably.

Each electro-magnet comprises a core 22 having a reduced portion 23, preferably rectangular in shape, which extends through a similarly shaped aperture 24 in one of the arms l3. When the portion 23 is headed over, as shown in Fig. 6, the core is rigidly mounted on the frame. 22 has, as usual, a paper tube 25, on which is wound a magnet wire 26. At each end of the coil is a head including a pair of insulating washers 21. At the end of the coil which is secured to the side arms E3 the head is between the insulating washers 2'! and metal disk 28 which is mounted in electrical contact with the inner end of the wire coil 26 by causing the bare end of the wire to be interposed between the disk 28 and one of the insulating washers 21. At the free, or unscrewed end of the coil there is interposed between the washers 27 a metal disk 29 having an ear 3!] to which the outer end of the Wire coil 26 is secured.

The coil 26 with the washers 2'! and disks 2B and 29 are assembled on the core 22 before the latter is riveted'to the side arm l3, and when so riveted these parts are held firmly together as a unit between the side arm I3 and head 3! on the free end of the core. It will be seen that when the electro-magnets 20 and 2| are assembled on the frame H, they will extend in opposite directions and yet be located compactly adjacent each other and parallel to each other.

The armatures 25a for the buzzer and am for the hell are likewise arranged parallel with each other and are on opposite sides of the two electro-magnets 20 and 2|. The armature 20a for the buzzer is mounted on the wing l5 of the frame which'carries the electro-magnet 2! of the bell actuating mechanism so that this pivot point may be as far from the electro-magnet 20 as practical. And the same is true of the mounting for the armature 2la of the bell which is carried by the wing l5 adjacent the secured end of the mature is connected by a spring 32 to the wing l 5 which carries it.

The core Movement of the armatures toward their respective electro-magnets are limited by the heads of the electro-magnets. Outward movement of each armature is limited by the yoke 33 carried by, and preferably formed integral with, the disk 29 at the free end of the coil actuating armature. In addition to limiting the outward movement of its armature, each yoke 33 also serves as a makeand-break contact member for causing the armature to vibrate. For this purpose, theyoke 33 is provided with a vibrator point 34, located in position to be engaged by the vibrator spring 35 carried by the armature.

The spring 35 and point 34 are normally in engagement, and thus current is conducted from the outer end of the coil 26 through the disk 29, yoke 33, contact point 34, spring 35, armature 20a or Zia, spring 32, wing l5 of the frame to the base plate Ill, which forms a ground and common connector for the two electro-magnets 20 and 2|. Being the buzzer armature, the armature 23a has no clapper. However, the armature 2la is provided with an angular extension 36, the end 3! of which constitutes a clapper.

It will thus be seen that by the present invention a combined bell and buzzerv actuating mechanism is produced which has over-all dimensions no greater than the ordinary double coil bell or buzzer.

As pointed out above, the bell proper 38 constitutes a casing for the bell and buzzer actuating mechanism to cover and conceal the same. Accordingly, the bell 33, which in the form shown, is dome-shaped, and which has a central aperture, is mounted on the frame H. For this purpose, the upper horizontal portion I2 of the frame I l is provided with a pair of arms 39 which may, for convenience, have reduced portions 40 extending through similarly shaped apertures at the top of the bell.

In addition, the upper portion l2 of the frame H is provided with a threaded hole to receive a screw 4! by means of which the bell is secured on the arms 39 of the frame. A disk, or washer 42, may be inserted between the head of the screw 4| and the upper portion of the bell 38, if desired.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to '7, the bell is securely and rigidly mounted on the frame. However, to produce a clearer and more musical tone, the bell may be mounted as shown in Fig. 8, in which the upper portion 12 of the frame H is provided with a boss 43 having a rounded top portion engaging the bell, and in which a spring washer 44, which is preferably star-shaped, such as shown in Fig. 9, is interposed between the head of a screw 45 andthe bell.

With this construction, the bell is floatingly carried by the frame, but is held in desired position yieldingly by the spring washer 44, the ends of which have limited contact with the bell, and therefore, do not damp the vibrations of the bell appreciably.

In the broader aspects of this invention, the combined bell and buzzer may be mounted by screws passing through apertures 46 in the base plate; However, it is preferable to space the base plate from the wall or other supporting device, and to provide a covering for themargin of the base plate.

This is accomplished in the form of the invention shown herein by providing an escutcheon plate 4? having an annular flange 48 in which the base plate ll fits, and a vertical flange 49 surrounding the lower edge of the bell .38.

The flange 49 preferably has an inwardly extending portion50 lying close to'the surface "of the bell 'so as toprevent cockroaches and-other insects from entering the space betweenthe flange 49 and the bell, and yet'allowing -suiiicient space I for'thebell to vibrate Without the'vibrations being' damped by theinwardly extending portion 50. As above explained, one end of each coil 26 is I grounded onthe base plate It), and to connect a current conducting wire to the base plate the latter is provided with a threaded hole 5| receiving a binding screw 52 under which the common wire may be secured. V

Current is carried separately to the other ends of the coil 26 by binding screws 53 and 54. Each of these binding screws extend through a noncircular piece of'insulation 55 located in a socket 56 of slight configuration in the base plate I0.

The screws 53 and 54 extend upwardly through the base plate In through an over-size hole so as not to contact with the base plate and through a washer '51 of insulating material. At its upper end, the binding screw 53 is threaded ina contact piece .58, while the upper end of the screw 54 is threaded in a contact piece 59. These contact pieces 58' and 59 are resilient and normally tend to moveaway from the base plate 10. They are located directlyunder, and electrically engage the disks!!! of the 'electro-magnets 2| and 20 respec- ,tively. i

, In manufacturing the combined bell and buzzer of the present invention, the coils are made and are secured to the frame I l. The base plate has assembled'onto it the binding screws'53 and 54,

the insulators 55, washers 51 and contact arms 58 and 59.. The frame to which the armatures have made by the contact arms 58 and 59 and no wiring or soldering is required. After this has been done, the escutcheon plate 41 is slid over the base plate I land the latter are secured together by eyelets 60, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 7. The device is then completely assembled and can only be taken apart by destroying the eyelets 60, thus preyventing tampering with the mechanism.

Any suitable means on the bell may be provided on the bell 38 to be engaged by the clapper 31. However, in the form of the invention shown herein, this means is constituted by a lug 62 stamped out from the lowermargin of the bell and located in position to be engaged by the clapper 31. 7

Variations and modifications may 'be made within the scope of this invention, and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new is:

1. 'In a device of the character described, a base plate of magnetic material; a frame having a yoke: and two arms of magnetic material, each arm being secured to the base plate, a pair of a being adjacent the unsecured end of the other electromagnet;a pair of. armatures one for each electromagnet, the armature for one electromagnet being movably carried by the arm of .said 1 frame whichcarries the other electromagnet and j armature contact-engagingmeans,one for each 1 I 751. l

electromagnet.

' 2; In a device of the character described, a base plate of magnetic material; a frame having a yoke and twoarms of magnetic material, each arm being secured to the base plate; a pair of electromagnets each secured at one end only to one of said arms, said electromagnets being arranged side by 'sideand the secured end of each being adjacent the unsecured end of the other electromagnet; a pair of armatures one for each electromagnet, the armature for one electromagnet being movably carried by the arm of said yoke which carries the other electromagnet, one of said armatures constituting a buzzer vibrator; a bell clapper carried by the other armature; armature contact-engaging means, one for each electromagnet; and a bell carried by said yoke and covering and concealing said yoke electromagnets and armatures and having a portion positioned to be struck by said clapper.

v 3. In a device of the character described, a base; a core mounted on the base and a wire coil wound thereon; a head at one end of the coreincluding a metal disk to which one end of the wire coil is connected; a contact brush carried by the base to engage said disk and carry current to the coil when the latter is mounted on the base; a head at the other end of the coil including a metal disk to which the other end of the coil wire is connected; an arm on said last-named metal disk; an armature for said coil connected to a source of current on the side thereof opposite that to which said contact brush is connected; and cooperating contact points on said coil head arm and on said armature to engage and disengage as the armature vibrates.

'4. In a device of the characterdescribed, a base plate of magnetic material; a frame having an upper yoke-portion and having magnet carrying portions, all of magnetic material supported on the base plate, said latter portions having lugs extending through apertures in said base plate and held therein against withdrawal, so as to form a closed magnetic circuit; bell and buzzer mechanism, including magnets carried by said frame under said upper portion, and also including a bell clapper; and a dome-shaped bell supported on said uper yoke portion of the frame and covering and concealing said bell and buzzer mechanism, said bell having a portion engaged by said clapper.

5. In a device of the character described, a base of magnetic material; a bell clapper and actuating means therefor including an electromagnet; a buzzer vibrator and actuating means therefor including an electromagnet; a supporting structure, including a yoke member of magnetic material for providing a common magnetic path for both electromagnets, and for securing the bell clapper and buzzer vibrator and their respective actuating means as a unit to the base; a bell; and means for mounting the bell on the yoke so as to cover and conceal the bell clapper,

buzzer vibrator, and respective actuating means therefor, and the supporting structure, including the yoke member.

6. In a device of the character described, a magnet yoke of magnetic material, having two arms, one at each end; a pair of electromagnets each secured at one end only to one of said arms,

said electromagnets being arranged side by side and the secured end of each being adjacent the unsecured end of the other electromagnet; a bell armature for one electromagnet and a buzzer armature for the other electromagnet, each armature being carried by the arm of said yoke 76 which carries the otherelectromagnet; armature contact-engaging means, one for each electromagnet; a bell; means for mounting the bell on the magnet yokeso that it covers and conceals the yoke, electromagnets, armatures, and contact-engaging means; and a bell clapper carried by the bell armature, and adapted to strike the bell.

'7. In a device of the character described, a base plate; a frame comprising a yoke having two arms, each arm secured at the free ends thereof to said base plate; a dome-shaped member secured substantially at its center to said yoke; signalling means carried by said frame including a pair of electromagnets and means for intermittently energizing either magnet when it is desired to operate that magnet for signalling; and sound-emitting signalling means including an armature for each'magnet one of which is a clapper for striking said dome-shaped member, saidmagnets being substantially horizontaland side by side, and substantially parallel and substantially aligned at opposite ends.

8.- In a device of a character described, in combination with an electrically operated alarm mechanism including a clapper and a domeshaped member for acting as a bell when intermittently struck by said clapper, a pair of electromagnets forming part of said alarm mechanism, and a frame below said dome-shaped member and having anvupper bridge portion, a pair of depending legs each connected at its top to an end of said bridge portion and laterally offset wings carried by said legs, one of said electromagnets being mounted on each of said legs, said alarm mechanism also including a plurality of interrupters of the make-and-break type one for the energizing circuit of each said electromagnets, each'said interrupter being mounted on a different one of said wings.

ARTHUR C. GAYNOR. 

